You like me!!!! You really like me!!! You really, honest to goodness,
really, really like me!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!! YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST!!!!
Oh, and thanks to Wolf Youkai for pointing out the little problem with Phoenix speech. It's fixed now, so if you were a bit confused, go back and read it.
The following people reviewed: Crazy-4-Bakura, Yami Crystal (good to have you back :D), Wolf Youkai Mistress ofCanines, yamachan*is my*man and pruningshears!!! In other words, all my reviewers have left a review!!! Thank you so much!!!
And welcome to Ky Doppelganger, the newest feeder of Phire Phoenix Chan's Ego
Please read Callas-and-Ivy's stories!!! Do it for me, please? Ok, so that wasn't the best tactic, but please read them! It means a lot for me, as she is the best online friend I have, and also an extremely talented writer, but for some reason or another, her stories aren't as popular as they deserve to be. I know that most of us write for the joy of writing and not reviews, but they are nice and can make a person feel better. So please??? Thank you!!!
*** *** ***
Scrolls of the Past
By Phire Phoenix Chan
Chapter Fourteen
Plans in motion
*** *** ***
"Have any luck talking to Bakura?" Joey asked lightly, at lunch the next day. Yugi shook his head and stared at his bento forlornly. From his expression you would have thought somebody died, but then Yugi had always been big on acceptance. It was hard not to be, what with the Heart of the Cards, not to mention some Egyptian Spirit that duelled for him. And he wanted Ryou to feel accepted, so naturally it was depressing to see him distance himself.
"He was avoiding me, and I didn't even get a chance to corner him." The younger boy sighed. Not only was Ryou acting peculiar and elusive, but also Zuzumea had been in a dreamy state all morning, not really paying attention to anything and rather giggly. That didn't really help with what he wanted to do.
"Hey Yugi, you still with me?" Joey waved a hand in front of his friend's face, who started and glanced at him guiltily. Joey took a sip of his juice. "Man, what's with you people? First Bakura, then Zuzumea, and now you!" Yugi smiled wistfully.
"So you noticed that Zuzumea's acting weird, too?" Joey nodded. "I know this isn't exactly your field of expertise, but I was wondering whether you could offer your opinion." Joey stared at his friend. Yugi sounded serious and he wanted Joey's advice. This wasn't exactly reassuring, as Yugi is normally easy-going. Nevertheless, he motioned for Yugi to keep talking. A blush settled on Yugi's face.
"Um, it's about, well, Zuzumea." Joey rolled his eyes. Weren't they all? Yugi, however, didn't notice and proceeded to stare at the grass embarrassedly. "I, uh, you know, like her."
"Well that's a big surprise." Joey muttered under his breath. He thought he knew where this was going, and shrank from the prospect of helping Yugi make such a big decision. Of course, the chances of Yug' getting rejected weren't great. Just as Yugi fancying Zuzumea was obvious, it was quite apparent that Zuzumea herself was hung up on Yugi. Now what a relationship could do to Bakura was a whole other matter.
"Should I, well, let's say, uh..." Yugi fidgeted with his chopsticks and trailed off uncertainly, glancing at Joey hopelessly.
"Ask her out?" Joey ventured helpfully. Yugi nodded. Joey didn't want to enlighten his friend about Bakura, but it made him uncomfortable to keep such a big factor to himself. And he could always beat up whoever's against the couple, that should be easy enough, considering how Bakura was the quiet, shy one and Joey the one who used to pick fights twice a day. "I'd say go for it, Yugi. It'll put your heart at ease, because then, even if she says no, which might I add is highly unlikely, at least you know what could have been. If you keep it in now, you'll always wonder how it might've gone."
"Yeah, good point, thanks." Yugi smiled pensively. Then he peered at Joey closely, scrutinizing him and making the blond slightly uncomfortable. "You know, if I didn't know better, I'd say you've been watching those chick flicks Tea is always renting at the local video store." Joey flushed a deep red and quickly averted the topic.
*** *** ***
Zuzumea grinned happily at Yugi. Students bustled around them, chattering cheerfully, some muttering phrases like 'TGIF' and 'I thought that week would never end. Zuzumea pulled Yugi a little further away from the crowd, and kept holding his hands. "You are so sweet, Yugi!!" She exclaimed blissfully, leaning over and kissing him on the cheek. "Of course I'll go out with you!!!" She gave him a hug, and then, seemingly embarrassed by her actions, waved a goodbye at him before running home, not even hearing him call out "Thank you!"
Yugi sighed in relief and joy, practically melting from that short peck she'd given him. In his soul chamber, he could hear his Yami sighing also, and chuckled. /So, why're you so happy?/ Yugi asked as he fought his way through the crowd to Joey, Tea and Tristan, who were standing by the gate. /If history is repeating, then that would mean that she's kissed you like this before, and since you said she was your fiancée, that would mean that you've kissed lots of times before/ Yami laughed good-naturedly.
/My boy, when you're in love with someone, you want their attention as much as you can, not matter how much of it you already have/ Yugi shook his head. No matter how serious Yami appeared to outsiders, there was always a playful streak in him. He wished he knew why Yami closed himself so often, and he wished he knew of Yami's past. (in this version, he doesn't know, except that Yami's the pharaoh) /I'll try to keep that in mind/ Yugi replied, and shut the link when he reached his other three friends.
"Whoa, Yugi, from the way your face glows like the setting sun, I'd say she said yes." Tea commented, sniggering even though her chances of going out with Yugi had just been reduced to cinders. Ah well, can't have everything in life. Yugi's hands flew to his face, making Tea smirk.
"Well?" Tristan asked impatiently. "Is Tea right? Did she say yes?" Joey elbowed Tristan, shooting him a look that clearly said 'dunce'.
"Of course she did! Don't you ever notice anything??? If she had said no, would she have kissed him and then run off, grinning from ear to ear?" Tristan scratched the back of his head.
"Uh, I wasn't paying attention. I was looking at Ribbon. (From the Manga)" Joey sweatdropped.
"Dude, she already turned you down." Tristan shrugged. "Well, hafta get going, told Serenity I'd take her to the beach today. Ciao Yug, see ya tomorrow you guys." Yugi winked at Joey at the mention of the beach. He knew where that was from.
Ryou walked past them coolly, not even glancing at his former friends. He thought that if he did, he would for sure be inclined to break something in the vicinity. Yugi made as if he wanted to talk to him yet again, but Joey, who had lingered upon seeing Ryou's hostile expression, elbowed him in the ribs and held him back. No comments were passed, but the ice-cold hatred that constantly flickered in and out of Ryou's eyes caused a shiver to run down Joey's spine.
Not until he was a safe distance from the school did Ryou break into a run. Right then, he wanted more than anything else in the world to hurt Yugi, to make him feel pain. He overlooked the fact that he was thinking and acting like Bakura, and he overlooked the fact that it would be unfair to Yugi. All he cared about was that he had asked Zuzumea out once, but she had said yes to /him/!!! That deserved to be punished. Perhaps he should ask his Yami to help!!!
That last thought alone should have alerted him and brought him back to his senses, but as they say, Love Blinds, and Ryou's love for Zuzumea had blinded him to the truth and clogged his judgement.
Bakura chuckled sinisterly, out of earshot of Ryou. So, the innocent one had a dark side too, had he? The virus he had planted was working admirably, and within week, perhaps even days he should be able to take the Millennium Puzzle away from Yugi, which in turn could free him forever from the blasted Millennium Ring. Then the world shall once again know the name of Ryou Bakura.
Ryou slammed the door open and threw down his backpack violently, causing the coat rack beside it shake ominously. Bakura quickly slid out of the Ring and sat down in front of the TV, posing rather convincingly. When Ryou entered the living room, his eyebrows pulled together in a frown and his mouth set in a grimace, Bakura smirked at him.
"Well I suppose that I was proven right, as usual." Ryou simply sent him a glare. He snatched up the TV control and closed the loud contraption. Then he sank with a low growl on the armchair. Silence.
"What did you do in the past?" Ryou snapped abruptly, turning his head to stare his Yami in the eyes. Funny, Bakura thought to himself. If he used that glare all the time, bet it would be a cinch to take over the school or something. Outwardly he sneered. Just because he didn't want his Hikari to be hurt emotionally doesn't mean that he wasn't going to use Aibou to get to Yugi.
"Like you could pull off what I did then. I had a legion of trusted men behind me, plans that had been laid out months ahead and years of experience in these matters. You, well let's just say that you're - "
He was cut short as Ryou's fist hit the coffee table in front. Bakura watched amusedly while Ryou's eyes narrowed and sparks seemed to fly. "Spare me. Just tell me what you did, Tomb Robber." Ryou snarled through gritted teeth. Bakura raised an eyebrow. /It/ shouldn't be doing this much damage. It seems that /it/ was fuelled quite a bit by Ryou's own anger. Well, so it is true when they say that those with the mildest temper are the scariest when it flares up.
"I stormed the palace, gave him a piece of my mind and attempted to kidnap Asophyre. She was mine in the first place, but nooo." The Yami said calmly, as though what he was discussing was no more unusual than what would be cooked for dinner or when he was going to go grocery shopping. Ryou, who normally would've seized this chance to ask about Bakura's past, suddenly laughed, a laugh that was different than his usual laugh. Rather, it was cold, mirthless and almost, well, cruel.
"And you lost."
"Yep." Bakura drawled, trying to keep his temper in check and maintain the guise of the nonchalant loser. Trivial things had to be overlooked in favour of the big prize: The Millennium Puzzle, and Freedom. Oh, and a little thing called World Domination. Nothing important, really. Who knows, perhaps Ryou could become his right hand man. He had to make sure that Ryou wouldn't see through his scheme. For all the good /it/ was doing, /it/ can't take total control. "Of course, you could just give him a piece of your mind and take away what's important to him." Bakura hinted, hoping Ryou wouldn't notice the eagerness in his voice.
Ryou smiled nastily. "What's important to him, eh?" He got up, sent his Yami a meaningful look and left through the backdoor. Bakura cackled uncharacteristically.
Yugi's eyes widened slightly when he got up from the couch and opened the door in response to the urgent sounding doorbell. "Hey Ryou" he stammered uncertainly. "What's up?" Now that the opportunity had arisen, Yugi was shy to talk about Zuzumea.
"Hello, Yugi. Fancy joining me on a walk?" Outwardly, Ryou appeared as nice as ever, as though the past days had never happened. Yugi nodded and grabbed his jacket. /Be careful, Aibou/ He heard his Yami whisper warningly. /I will/
They walked up the street, not really talking. An apprehensive air hung between them as they ambled towards the local park. Young kids ran past them, laughing mischievously with their indignant mothers hot in pursuit. Once an old lady stared at the puzzle and the ring, muttering 'youngsters these days'. Yugi smiled. It was nice, just walking like this sometimes, enjoying the fresh air. Then he remembered that Ryou, who had looked extremely murderous just that very afternoon, was by his side.
"Things sure have changed a lot since - two months ago, haven't they?" Ryou started the conversation casually. He didn't know how much longer he could act the nice British boy. He longed to yank that puzzle right off Yugi's neck. Yugi tensed. Even though it wasn't official, he knew Ryou was talking about Zuzumea. For now, he would just go along with it.
"Yeah, they have." He agreed half-heartedly. They turned into the park and sat down on one of the benches, watching some kids play in the playground. "Hmm, Ryou, tell me...Do you fancy anyone?" He hoped his voice sounded light-hearted, as though it was just an idly curious question between friends. Ryou almost snapped at him, but calmed himself just in time.
"Yeah, I suppose. Zuzumea's nice, isn't she?" Out of the corner of his eye, Ryou observed Yugi reaction. But it was as though a curtain had been pulled in front of the shorter boy's face. There was no change whatsoever, and it was as though Yugi hadn't even heard him. But next moment, that statement went down the drain.
"Zuzumea? Really?" Yugi cast his eye around the park while trying to think of something to say. The white-haired boy seemed to enjoy Yugi squirming. "Does she know that?"
Ryou's anger was threatening to surface as he told the truth. "Yes, I've asked her out once." There was no need to ask what Zuzumea's response had been; that much was obvious from the tone of his voice. Yugi shook his head sadly.
"Ryou, I'm sorry, I - " Ryou cut him off harshly.
"For what? For taking my girl? Oh, who'd get mad at you for that? Little Yugi, always the centre of attention. King of everything, friend to everyone. You have everything you could possibly want! Why do you want to ruin my life, as well?" Ryou didn't notice that this speech was quite similar to the one he gave Bakura when Zuzumea first arrived. He had jumped up and was glaring at his former friend menacingly. The latter felt his cheeks grow hot and knew he was turning red, but not of embarrassment; rather, it was anger.
"Your girl? Zuzumea doesn't belong to anyone! She's a free spirit, and you have to respect her opinion!!!" People were starting to stare, but neither boy gave that any thought.
"Hah! That's what you think, isn't it?" Ryou spat venomously, so viciously that Yugi jumped a little. "Free Spirit, is she? Bet that's what your Yami told you!!! BECAUSE SHE IS NOT FREE!!!" Birds flew out of a nearby tree in distress when Ryou raised his voice even higher. "She was under a spell, you insolent idiot! Your Yami, your precious Yami, had cursed her so she would stand with you! That's the way it was in the ancient days, too!"
Yugi sprang to his feet. "Since when did you start believing that tomb robber?" He hissed. Both boys were acting quite out of character, but both were protective of that which they believed in, and especially in Yugi's case, those whom they loved. "Your Yami tells you that she was cursed and you believe him??? Hasn't he given us enough trouble???"
"You know, Yugi, maybe my Yami isn't the one who's been giving us trouble." Ryou sneered. "During Duellist Kingdom, when I was quite new to the Ring, I didn't remember much if my Yami took over. So who knows, maybe your Yami's the evil one, and you just don't want to acknowledge it. All I know and all I accuse my Yami of have been coming from you. Why should I trust you rather than my past self?" Yugi's mouth dropped open at this newest attack.
"Why??? Because I've almost lost someone through the power of a Millennium Item and I would NOT abuse the power!"
"Oh yeah? Says who?" Ryou muttered. "I don't believe you, Yugi Motou, and I don't think I ever will again. I was foolish not to trust myself, and rather put myself in the hands of people like you." Contempt was heavy on that last word. "You've taken something dear to me, and let me return the favour."
Before Yugi could react, Ryou had stepped forward and was attempting to yank the puzzle away from him. Yugi backed away, one hand clutching his puzzle and the other hand trying to pry Ryou's hands off. He slammed into the bench, wrenching with all his might. The look on Ryou's face was one of hatred and vengeance. It was almost as though he was another person.
"What's with you, Ryou? This isn't like you." Yugi choked as Ryou tried another tactic, and instead grabbed his throat. Not enough to kill him, but enough to make Yugi loosen his grip. Although Ryou wouldn't have minded sending Yugi to the shadow realm, he would need his Yami to do that, and he had wanted to handle this alone.
"What's with me? What's with me?" Ryou jeered, turning the puzzle this way and that in an attempt to grab it out of Yugi's hand. "There's nothing with me. I'm just reacting the way anyone would if they knew that the girl they like has been put under a spell by the person they thought was their friend!" He panted.
Yugi shook his head. "No..." He said feebly, then "YAMI!!!!" The last was cried out in a heart-breaking manner. At Kame Game Shop, where the spirit currently was, the aforementioned felt a tug at his heart. 'Yugi' he muttered, and started to run.
But before he was even halfway there, a golden glow surrounded the puzzle. Ryou relinquished his grip on the Millennium Puzzle quickly and very suddenly as though he had been burned. His other hand released Yugi's throat to examine his fingers. There was no sign of injury, but excruciating pain had shot through them the moment after Yugi had yelled for his Yami.
Yami appeared at the place where the two boys were, and his features paled. Yugi was sitting on the bench, clutching his throat with one hand and wheezing slightly. His other hand was wrapped protectively around the puzzle, and his feet looked very tense, as though they were ready to kick. Ryou turned his head at the sound of commotion and a look of panic came over his face. "I'll be back." He whispered, and ran off. There was no sense of regret in him. Bakura knew all that had happened the instant Ryou entered the door. And while he still didn't have the puzzle yet, the plan was in gear. He was very satisfied - that was obvious from his shark-like grin.
"Aibou, are you ok?" Yami asked concernedly. Yugi nodded, panting. When he calmed himself, he muttered slowly and thoughtfully:
"That must've been Bakura who took over Ryou's body again." Yami shook his head sorrowfully, his eyes full of anguish.
"No, I don't believe so."
Yugi looked up at his Yami, fear and concern in his eyes.
~*"Seto, I think it's time you knew what was going on." Yami announced on afternoon, a week after their initial - and passionate - kiss. For a whole seven days, they had acted like a bunch of idiotic thirteen-year olds, giggling and laughing and whispering and whatnot. Of course, this earned them quite a few frowns from Kaiba, as most of the communication went on during Asophyre's lessons. A lot of smiles, too, but they didn't notice that. Asophyre giggled again, at Yami's statement. For some reason, when you're in love, everything seems wonderfully humorous and the world is a great place.
"Asophyre and I - " Here, he shot her a glance, "are, um, well, you see, that is..." Now that it actually came down to saying it, his tongue seemed a lot less slick. He had started to blush and the sight was rather amusing, even to Seto.
"In love? Enamoured of each other? Hopelessly lovesick? Eager to engage right away? Or better yet, to wed right away?" His joking words made Asophyre blush, twinning Yami. Yami waved an annoyed hand at him, as though swatting away a pesky fly. Seto laughed at the gesture.
"How'd I know?" He asked the unvoiced question that was on both Yami's and Asophyre's mind. "Well it is rather obvious, isn't it?" Seto chortled. Yami looked at Asophyre slightly embarrassedly and a bit put off, before turning back to his advisor.
"Do you think anyone else noticed? The servants? Cooks, maids, you know..."
"No doubt."
Yami rubbed the back of his head thoughtfully. "Then I suppose it's pointless to put this off any longer." Hesitantly he reached into his pocket. "I mean, I know it's hurrying it and all, and that I'm being forward." Yami withdrew a small, wooden, intricately carved box, about the size of a hamster (¬_¬ for lack of better simile), talking all the while and locking eyes with Asophyre, who seemed entranced. "But you know what they say, Love waits for no one. And I certainly won't be waiting any longer."
Yami, ever the gentleman even if he is the pharaoh, pushed away his chair and knelt on the floor. He carefully opened the box. Inside, cushioned on velvet, sat a jewel encrusted golden ring, that looked like it might be worth ten years or more wages of an average Egyptian. A ruby was in the middle of it, and sapphires and emeralds around it. He took Asophyre's hand, took the ring, and gently slipped it on her right hand. "Will you marry me?" (uh, how do they propose to each other in Ancient Egypt?)
*** *** ***
Afterwards, Asophyre couldn't tell how she'd gotten through the rest of the day without fainting. Or perhaps she had fainted, and just didn't remember. All she knew was that as soon as she'd agreed and jumped off her chair to engage Yami in a tight embrace, Seto started to clap. Her magical instincts, put on alert by this sudden burst of happiness, reacted accordingly without her meaning to. Red, gold, blue, green, white, violet, periwinkle, peach - sparks of every colour flew out of the tip of her fingers, alighting into the air and exploding in a shower of fireworks. Servants burst into the room, startled by the racket and light, but withdrew immediately, whispering among themselves with joy and with knowing smiles on their faces. When she'd left the palace to go home that night, almost everyone smiled at her and told her that it was good that Yami would now have a companion. Her face was red as a tomato by the time she reached the street, and even there she could help but skip on her way and break into song every two minutes.
Her family's reaction was only too predictable. Mass hysteria, excited squealing and much dancing. Sorella had been more inclined to take this as a joke, but one look at the golden ring was enough, not to mention the inside of it was engrave with the lettering 'Asophyre of the Emika Clan, Queen of Egypt' and Yami's insignia. Even if someone had forged the insignia, which would be highly unlikely as only the palace smith had the skills to do it so detailed, and so small, nobody in this kingdom would be foolish enough to engrave something such as Queen of Egypt for anyone who wasn't the Queen of Egypt. That could be taken as rebellion and treachery. That, plus the fact that Asophyre couldn't keep a practical joke to herself for very long, convinced all of them.
Asophyre told them that all would be arranged, that her family wouldn't have to worry about the plans and the details too much, and that she would update them every day. She assured them that she'd try and convince Yami for them to live in the palace after the wedding, for she couldn't bear to be away from Yami, but she wanted to spend time with her family, too. And besides, Yami and she had agreed that until the engagement was officially announced, which would be in a week or two, Asophyre would stay with her family. What happens after that remains to be seen.
Sorella, in all fairness to her, wasn't too jealous. Besides, that palace guard was a serious hottie.
If Asophyre's father had his way, he would have run out on the street and shouted the news for all to hear. But he didn't, as Asophyre held him down and told him that it was to be kept secret until Yami decided to release that information. Sorella felt guilty that she would have to disobey her sister.
While the family bombarded Asophyre with further questions that were starting to repeat themselves, Sorella went upstairs and scribbled a note. "Asophyre engaged to Yami." Funny how, in penning these four words, her heart grew heavier and heavier. She rolled the piece of paper up and tied it with a blue sash. She grabbed another piece of string and hurried downstairs, slipping out the door. Sorella grabbed a random stone, and with the spare string, tied it to the sash.
With a furtive look around her, she ran towards the edge of town. A little stretch into the desert there was a big cluster of stones, forming a small mountain. Sorella counted under her breath, to the sixth stone from the left. Between it and the seventh stone was a small gap. Barely enough for her hand to slip through. Inside was a bigger space, and deeper than one would've thought possible. Sorella pushed the stone through, to the extent that her hands could still retrieve it, but that it wasn't visible from the outside.
After the deed was done, she turned away from it and started home, occasionally glancing back at the clumpy silhouette that shadowed against the rising moon with remorse. But her promise to Bakura to keep him updated had been made before the engagement, and a promise is a promise. She opened the door to her house, or rather, mansion, as silently as possible and went inside.
*** *** ***
"Atta' girl." Bakura muttered, as he lay flat on his stomach, reaching inside the crack to see whether anything was there. He was wearing the white robe again, with the hood pulled low over his eyes. He didn't need to see, not while getting out the message from Sorella. Malik stood off to one way, keeping watch so that no one could approach Bakura without him knowing.
With a thump, Bakura switched positions and sat on the sand cross legged. He ripped off the string and unfolded the neat message. In it were four words. Four words that made him roar at the sky, only to be shushed by Malik so that they wouldn't attract attention to themselves. Bakura fumed silently then, breathing heavily. The leader thrust the letter at Malik when the latter expressed his puzzlement. His eyes widened and he stared at Bakura with sympathy.
"He. Will. Pay." Bakura announced, squeezing each word from between his clenched teeth. When the leader and founder of the Dangers of the Desert got that look in his eyes, it was better to get out of the way.
*** *** ***
I know that Ryou wouldn't usually behave like this (in the future/present) No flames, please, as I have a reason for his actions. If you can guess what it is, then the next chapter is dedicated to you.
Oh, and thanks to Wolf Youkai for pointing out the little problem with Phoenix speech. It's fixed now, so if you were a bit confused, go back and read it.
The following people reviewed: Crazy-4-Bakura, Yami Crystal (good to have you back :D), Wolf Youkai Mistress ofCanines, yamachan*is my*man and pruningshears!!! In other words, all my reviewers have left a review!!! Thank you so much!!!
And welcome to Ky Doppelganger, the newest feeder of Phire Phoenix Chan's Ego
Please read Callas-and-Ivy's stories!!! Do it for me, please? Ok, so that wasn't the best tactic, but please read them! It means a lot for me, as she is the best online friend I have, and also an extremely talented writer, but for some reason or another, her stories aren't as popular as they deserve to be. I know that most of us write for the joy of writing and not reviews, but they are nice and can make a person feel better. So please??? Thank you!!!
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Scrolls of the Past
By Phire Phoenix Chan
Chapter Fourteen
Plans in motion
*** *** ***
"Have any luck talking to Bakura?" Joey asked lightly, at lunch the next day. Yugi shook his head and stared at his bento forlornly. From his expression you would have thought somebody died, but then Yugi had always been big on acceptance. It was hard not to be, what with the Heart of the Cards, not to mention some Egyptian Spirit that duelled for him. And he wanted Ryou to feel accepted, so naturally it was depressing to see him distance himself.
"He was avoiding me, and I didn't even get a chance to corner him." The younger boy sighed. Not only was Ryou acting peculiar and elusive, but also Zuzumea had been in a dreamy state all morning, not really paying attention to anything and rather giggly. That didn't really help with what he wanted to do.
"Hey Yugi, you still with me?" Joey waved a hand in front of his friend's face, who started and glanced at him guiltily. Joey took a sip of his juice. "Man, what's with you people? First Bakura, then Zuzumea, and now you!" Yugi smiled wistfully.
"So you noticed that Zuzumea's acting weird, too?" Joey nodded. "I know this isn't exactly your field of expertise, but I was wondering whether you could offer your opinion." Joey stared at his friend. Yugi sounded serious and he wanted Joey's advice. This wasn't exactly reassuring, as Yugi is normally easy-going. Nevertheless, he motioned for Yugi to keep talking. A blush settled on Yugi's face.
"Um, it's about, well, Zuzumea." Joey rolled his eyes. Weren't they all? Yugi, however, didn't notice and proceeded to stare at the grass embarrassedly. "I, uh, you know, like her."
"Well that's a big surprise." Joey muttered under his breath. He thought he knew where this was going, and shrank from the prospect of helping Yugi make such a big decision. Of course, the chances of Yug' getting rejected weren't great. Just as Yugi fancying Zuzumea was obvious, it was quite apparent that Zuzumea herself was hung up on Yugi. Now what a relationship could do to Bakura was a whole other matter.
"Should I, well, let's say, uh..." Yugi fidgeted with his chopsticks and trailed off uncertainly, glancing at Joey hopelessly.
"Ask her out?" Joey ventured helpfully. Yugi nodded. Joey didn't want to enlighten his friend about Bakura, but it made him uncomfortable to keep such a big factor to himself. And he could always beat up whoever's against the couple, that should be easy enough, considering how Bakura was the quiet, shy one and Joey the one who used to pick fights twice a day. "I'd say go for it, Yugi. It'll put your heart at ease, because then, even if she says no, which might I add is highly unlikely, at least you know what could have been. If you keep it in now, you'll always wonder how it might've gone."
"Yeah, good point, thanks." Yugi smiled pensively. Then he peered at Joey closely, scrutinizing him and making the blond slightly uncomfortable. "You know, if I didn't know better, I'd say you've been watching those chick flicks Tea is always renting at the local video store." Joey flushed a deep red and quickly averted the topic.
*** *** ***
Zuzumea grinned happily at Yugi. Students bustled around them, chattering cheerfully, some muttering phrases like 'TGIF' and 'I thought that week would never end. Zuzumea pulled Yugi a little further away from the crowd, and kept holding his hands. "You are so sweet, Yugi!!" She exclaimed blissfully, leaning over and kissing him on the cheek. "Of course I'll go out with you!!!" She gave him a hug, and then, seemingly embarrassed by her actions, waved a goodbye at him before running home, not even hearing him call out "Thank you!"
Yugi sighed in relief and joy, practically melting from that short peck she'd given him. In his soul chamber, he could hear his Yami sighing also, and chuckled. /So, why're you so happy?/ Yugi asked as he fought his way through the crowd to Joey, Tea and Tristan, who were standing by the gate. /If history is repeating, then that would mean that she's kissed you like this before, and since you said she was your fiancée, that would mean that you've kissed lots of times before/ Yami laughed good-naturedly.
/My boy, when you're in love with someone, you want their attention as much as you can, not matter how much of it you already have/ Yugi shook his head. No matter how serious Yami appeared to outsiders, there was always a playful streak in him. He wished he knew why Yami closed himself so often, and he wished he knew of Yami's past. (in this version, he doesn't know, except that Yami's the pharaoh) /I'll try to keep that in mind/ Yugi replied, and shut the link when he reached his other three friends.
"Whoa, Yugi, from the way your face glows like the setting sun, I'd say she said yes." Tea commented, sniggering even though her chances of going out with Yugi had just been reduced to cinders. Ah well, can't have everything in life. Yugi's hands flew to his face, making Tea smirk.
"Well?" Tristan asked impatiently. "Is Tea right? Did she say yes?" Joey elbowed Tristan, shooting him a look that clearly said 'dunce'.
"Of course she did! Don't you ever notice anything??? If she had said no, would she have kissed him and then run off, grinning from ear to ear?" Tristan scratched the back of his head.
"Uh, I wasn't paying attention. I was looking at Ribbon. (From the Manga)" Joey sweatdropped.
"Dude, she already turned you down." Tristan shrugged. "Well, hafta get going, told Serenity I'd take her to the beach today. Ciao Yug, see ya tomorrow you guys." Yugi winked at Joey at the mention of the beach. He knew where that was from.
Ryou walked past them coolly, not even glancing at his former friends. He thought that if he did, he would for sure be inclined to break something in the vicinity. Yugi made as if he wanted to talk to him yet again, but Joey, who had lingered upon seeing Ryou's hostile expression, elbowed him in the ribs and held him back. No comments were passed, but the ice-cold hatred that constantly flickered in and out of Ryou's eyes caused a shiver to run down Joey's spine.
Not until he was a safe distance from the school did Ryou break into a run. Right then, he wanted more than anything else in the world to hurt Yugi, to make him feel pain. He overlooked the fact that he was thinking and acting like Bakura, and he overlooked the fact that it would be unfair to Yugi. All he cared about was that he had asked Zuzumea out once, but she had said yes to /him/!!! That deserved to be punished. Perhaps he should ask his Yami to help!!!
That last thought alone should have alerted him and brought him back to his senses, but as they say, Love Blinds, and Ryou's love for Zuzumea had blinded him to the truth and clogged his judgement.
Bakura chuckled sinisterly, out of earshot of Ryou. So, the innocent one had a dark side too, had he? The virus he had planted was working admirably, and within week, perhaps even days he should be able to take the Millennium Puzzle away from Yugi, which in turn could free him forever from the blasted Millennium Ring. Then the world shall once again know the name of Ryou Bakura.
Ryou slammed the door open and threw down his backpack violently, causing the coat rack beside it shake ominously. Bakura quickly slid out of the Ring and sat down in front of the TV, posing rather convincingly. When Ryou entered the living room, his eyebrows pulled together in a frown and his mouth set in a grimace, Bakura smirked at him.
"Well I suppose that I was proven right, as usual." Ryou simply sent him a glare. He snatched up the TV control and closed the loud contraption. Then he sank with a low growl on the armchair. Silence.
"What did you do in the past?" Ryou snapped abruptly, turning his head to stare his Yami in the eyes. Funny, Bakura thought to himself. If he used that glare all the time, bet it would be a cinch to take over the school or something. Outwardly he sneered. Just because he didn't want his Hikari to be hurt emotionally doesn't mean that he wasn't going to use Aibou to get to Yugi.
"Like you could pull off what I did then. I had a legion of trusted men behind me, plans that had been laid out months ahead and years of experience in these matters. You, well let's just say that you're - "
He was cut short as Ryou's fist hit the coffee table in front. Bakura watched amusedly while Ryou's eyes narrowed and sparks seemed to fly. "Spare me. Just tell me what you did, Tomb Robber." Ryou snarled through gritted teeth. Bakura raised an eyebrow. /It/ shouldn't be doing this much damage. It seems that /it/ was fuelled quite a bit by Ryou's own anger. Well, so it is true when they say that those with the mildest temper are the scariest when it flares up.
"I stormed the palace, gave him a piece of my mind and attempted to kidnap Asophyre. She was mine in the first place, but nooo." The Yami said calmly, as though what he was discussing was no more unusual than what would be cooked for dinner or when he was going to go grocery shopping. Ryou, who normally would've seized this chance to ask about Bakura's past, suddenly laughed, a laugh that was different than his usual laugh. Rather, it was cold, mirthless and almost, well, cruel.
"And you lost."
"Yep." Bakura drawled, trying to keep his temper in check and maintain the guise of the nonchalant loser. Trivial things had to be overlooked in favour of the big prize: The Millennium Puzzle, and Freedom. Oh, and a little thing called World Domination. Nothing important, really. Who knows, perhaps Ryou could become his right hand man. He had to make sure that Ryou wouldn't see through his scheme. For all the good /it/ was doing, /it/ can't take total control. "Of course, you could just give him a piece of your mind and take away what's important to him." Bakura hinted, hoping Ryou wouldn't notice the eagerness in his voice.
Ryou smiled nastily. "What's important to him, eh?" He got up, sent his Yami a meaningful look and left through the backdoor. Bakura cackled uncharacteristically.
Yugi's eyes widened slightly when he got up from the couch and opened the door in response to the urgent sounding doorbell. "Hey Ryou" he stammered uncertainly. "What's up?" Now that the opportunity had arisen, Yugi was shy to talk about Zuzumea.
"Hello, Yugi. Fancy joining me on a walk?" Outwardly, Ryou appeared as nice as ever, as though the past days had never happened. Yugi nodded and grabbed his jacket. /Be careful, Aibou/ He heard his Yami whisper warningly. /I will/
They walked up the street, not really talking. An apprehensive air hung between them as they ambled towards the local park. Young kids ran past them, laughing mischievously with their indignant mothers hot in pursuit. Once an old lady stared at the puzzle and the ring, muttering 'youngsters these days'. Yugi smiled. It was nice, just walking like this sometimes, enjoying the fresh air. Then he remembered that Ryou, who had looked extremely murderous just that very afternoon, was by his side.
"Things sure have changed a lot since - two months ago, haven't they?" Ryou started the conversation casually. He didn't know how much longer he could act the nice British boy. He longed to yank that puzzle right off Yugi's neck. Yugi tensed. Even though it wasn't official, he knew Ryou was talking about Zuzumea. For now, he would just go along with it.
"Yeah, they have." He agreed half-heartedly. They turned into the park and sat down on one of the benches, watching some kids play in the playground. "Hmm, Ryou, tell me...Do you fancy anyone?" He hoped his voice sounded light-hearted, as though it was just an idly curious question between friends. Ryou almost snapped at him, but calmed himself just in time.
"Yeah, I suppose. Zuzumea's nice, isn't she?" Out of the corner of his eye, Ryou observed Yugi reaction. But it was as though a curtain had been pulled in front of the shorter boy's face. There was no change whatsoever, and it was as though Yugi hadn't even heard him. But next moment, that statement went down the drain.
"Zuzumea? Really?" Yugi cast his eye around the park while trying to think of something to say. The white-haired boy seemed to enjoy Yugi squirming. "Does she know that?"
Ryou's anger was threatening to surface as he told the truth. "Yes, I've asked her out once." There was no need to ask what Zuzumea's response had been; that much was obvious from the tone of his voice. Yugi shook his head sadly.
"Ryou, I'm sorry, I - " Ryou cut him off harshly.
"For what? For taking my girl? Oh, who'd get mad at you for that? Little Yugi, always the centre of attention. King of everything, friend to everyone. You have everything you could possibly want! Why do you want to ruin my life, as well?" Ryou didn't notice that this speech was quite similar to the one he gave Bakura when Zuzumea first arrived. He had jumped up and was glaring at his former friend menacingly. The latter felt his cheeks grow hot and knew he was turning red, but not of embarrassment; rather, it was anger.
"Your girl? Zuzumea doesn't belong to anyone! She's a free spirit, and you have to respect her opinion!!!" People were starting to stare, but neither boy gave that any thought.
"Hah! That's what you think, isn't it?" Ryou spat venomously, so viciously that Yugi jumped a little. "Free Spirit, is she? Bet that's what your Yami told you!!! BECAUSE SHE IS NOT FREE!!!" Birds flew out of a nearby tree in distress when Ryou raised his voice even higher. "She was under a spell, you insolent idiot! Your Yami, your precious Yami, had cursed her so she would stand with you! That's the way it was in the ancient days, too!"
Yugi sprang to his feet. "Since when did you start believing that tomb robber?" He hissed. Both boys were acting quite out of character, but both were protective of that which they believed in, and especially in Yugi's case, those whom they loved. "Your Yami tells you that she was cursed and you believe him??? Hasn't he given us enough trouble???"
"You know, Yugi, maybe my Yami isn't the one who's been giving us trouble." Ryou sneered. "During Duellist Kingdom, when I was quite new to the Ring, I didn't remember much if my Yami took over. So who knows, maybe your Yami's the evil one, and you just don't want to acknowledge it. All I know and all I accuse my Yami of have been coming from you. Why should I trust you rather than my past self?" Yugi's mouth dropped open at this newest attack.
"Why??? Because I've almost lost someone through the power of a Millennium Item and I would NOT abuse the power!"
"Oh yeah? Says who?" Ryou muttered. "I don't believe you, Yugi Motou, and I don't think I ever will again. I was foolish not to trust myself, and rather put myself in the hands of people like you." Contempt was heavy on that last word. "You've taken something dear to me, and let me return the favour."
Before Yugi could react, Ryou had stepped forward and was attempting to yank the puzzle away from him. Yugi backed away, one hand clutching his puzzle and the other hand trying to pry Ryou's hands off. He slammed into the bench, wrenching with all his might. The look on Ryou's face was one of hatred and vengeance. It was almost as though he was another person.
"What's with you, Ryou? This isn't like you." Yugi choked as Ryou tried another tactic, and instead grabbed his throat. Not enough to kill him, but enough to make Yugi loosen his grip. Although Ryou wouldn't have minded sending Yugi to the shadow realm, he would need his Yami to do that, and he had wanted to handle this alone.
"What's with me? What's with me?" Ryou jeered, turning the puzzle this way and that in an attempt to grab it out of Yugi's hand. "There's nothing with me. I'm just reacting the way anyone would if they knew that the girl they like has been put under a spell by the person they thought was their friend!" He panted.
Yugi shook his head. "No..." He said feebly, then "YAMI!!!!" The last was cried out in a heart-breaking manner. At Kame Game Shop, where the spirit currently was, the aforementioned felt a tug at his heart. 'Yugi' he muttered, and started to run.
But before he was even halfway there, a golden glow surrounded the puzzle. Ryou relinquished his grip on the Millennium Puzzle quickly and very suddenly as though he had been burned. His other hand released Yugi's throat to examine his fingers. There was no sign of injury, but excruciating pain had shot through them the moment after Yugi had yelled for his Yami.
Yami appeared at the place where the two boys were, and his features paled. Yugi was sitting on the bench, clutching his throat with one hand and wheezing slightly. His other hand was wrapped protectively around the puzzle, and his feet looked very tense, as though they were ready to kick. Ryou turned his head at the sound of commotion and a look of panic came over his face. "I'll be back." He whispered, and ran off. There was no sense of regret in him. Bakura knew all that had happened the instant Ryou entered the door. And while he still didn't have the puzzle yet, the plan was in gear. He was very satisfied - that was obvious from his shark-like grin.
"Aibou, are you ok?" Yami asked concernedly. Yugi nodded, panting. When he calmed himself, he muttered slowly and thoughtfully:
"That must've been Bakura who took over Ryou's body again." Yami shook his head sorrowfully, his eyes full of anguish.
"No, I don't believe so."
Yugi looked up at his Yami, fear and concern in his eyes.
~*"Seto, I think it's time you knew what was going on." Yami announced on afternoon, a week after their initial - and passionate - kiss. For a whole seven days, they had acted like a bunch of idiotic thirteen-year olds, giggling and laughing and whispering and whatnot. Of course, this earned them quite a few frowns from Kaiba, as most of the communication went on during Asophyre's lessons. A lot of smiles, too, but they didn't notice that. Asophyre giggled again, at Yami's statement. For some reason, when you're in love, everything seems wonderfully humorous and the world is a great place.
"Asophyre and I - " Here, he shot her a glance, "are, um, well, you see, that is..." Now that it actually came down to saying it, his tongue seemed a lot less slick. He had started to blush and the sight was rather amusing, even to Seto.
"In love? Enamoured of each other? Hopelessly lovesick? Eager to engage right away? Or better yet, to wed right away?" His joking words made Asophyre blush, twinning Yami. Yami waved an annoyed hand at him, as though swatting away a pesky fly. Seto laughed at the gesture.
"How'd I know?" He asked the unvoiced question that was on both Yami's and Asophyre's mind. "Well it is rather obvious, isn't it?" Seto chortled. Yami looked at Asophyre slightly embarrassedly and a bit put off, before turning back to his advisor.
"Do you think anyone else noticed? The servants? Cooks, maids, you know..."
"No doubt."
Yami rubbed the back of his head thoughtfully. "Then I suppose it's pointless to put this off any longer." Hesitantly he reached into his pocket. "I mean, I know it's hurrying it and all, and that I'm being forward." Yami withdrew a small, wooden, intricately carved box, about the size of a hamster (¬_¬ for lack of better simile), talking all the while and locking eyes with Asophyre, who seemed entranced. "But you know what they say, Love waits for no one. And I certainly won't be waiting any longer."
Yami, ever the gentleman even if he is the pharaoh, pushed away his chair and knelt on the floor. He carefully opened the box. Inside, cushioned on velvet, sat a jewel encrusted golden ring, that looked like it might be worth ten years or more wages of an average Egyptian. A ruby was in the middle of it, and sapphires and emeralds around it. He took Asophyre's hand, took the ring, and gently slipped it on her right hand. "Will you marry me?" (uh, how do they propose to each other in Ancient Egypt?)
*** *** ***
Afterwards, Asophyre couldn't tell how she'd gotten through the rest of the day without fainting. Or perhaps she had fainted, and just didn't remember. All she knew was that as soon as she'd agreed and jumped off her chair to engage Yami in a tight embrace, Seto started to clap. Her magical instincts, put on alert by this sudden burst of happiness, reacted accordingly without her meaning to. Red, gold, blue, green, white, violet, periwinkle, peach - sparks of every colour flew out of the tip of her fingers, alighting into the air and exploding in a shower of fireworks. Servants burst into the room, startled by the racket and light, but withdrew immediately, whispering among themselves with joy and with knowing smiles on their faces. When she'd left the palace to go home that night, almost everyone smiled at her and told her that it was good that Yami would now have a companion. Her face was red as a tomato by the time she reached the street, and even there she could help but skip on her way and break into song every two minutes.
Her family's reaction was only too predictable. Mass hysteria, excited squealing and much dancing. Sorella had been more inclined to take this as a joke, but one look at the golden ring was enough, not to mention the inside of it was engrave with the lettering 'Asophyre of the Emika Clan, Queen of Egypt' and Yami's insignia. Even if someone had forged the insignia, which would be highly unlikely as only the palace smith had the skills to do it so detailed, and so small, nobody in this kingdom would be foolish enough to engrave something such as Queen of Egypt for anyone who wasn't the Queen of Egypt. That could be taken as rebellion and treachery. That, plus the fact that Asophyre couldn't keep a practical joke to herself for very long, convinced all of them.
Asophyre told them that all would be arranged, that her family wouldn't have to worry about the plans and the details too much, and that she would update them every day. She assured them that she'd try and convince Yami for them to live in the palace after the wedding, for she couldn't bear to be away from Yami, but she wanted to spend time with her family, too. And besides, Yami and she had agreed that until the engagement was officially announced, which would be in a week or two, Asophyre would stay with her family. What happens after that remains to be seen.
Sorella, in all fairness to her, wasn't too jealous. Besides, that palace guard was a serious hottie.
If Asophyre's father had his way, he would have run out on the street and shouted the news for all to hear. But he didn't, as Asophyre held him down and told him that it was to be kept secret until Yami decided to release that information. Sorella felt guilty that she would have to disobey her sister.
While the family bombarded Asophyre with further questions that were starting to repeat themselves, Sorella went upstairs and scribbled a note. "Asophyre engaged to Yami." Funny how, in penning these four words, her heart grew heavier and heavier. She rolled the piece of paper up and tied it with a blue sash. She grabbed another piece of string and hurried downstairs, slipping out the door. Sorella grabbed a random stone, and with the spare string, tied it to the sash.
With a furtive look around her, she ran towards the edge of town. A little stretch into the desert there was a big cluster of stones, forming a small mountain. Sorella counted under her breath, to the sixth stone from the left. Between it and the seventh stone was a small gap. Barely enough for her hand to slip through. Inside was a bigger space, and deeper than one would've thought possible. Sorella pushed the stone through, to the extent that her hands could still retrieve it, but that it wasn't visible from the outside.
After the deed was done, she turned away from it and started home, occasionally glancing back at the clumpy silhouette that shadowed against the rising moon with remorse. But her promise to Bakura to keep him updated had been made before the engagement, and a promise is a promise. She opened the door to her house, or rather, mansion, as silently as possible and went inside.
*** *** ***
"Atta' girl." Bakura muttered, as he lay flat on his stomach, reaching inside the crack to see whether anything was there. He was wearing the white robe again, with the hood pulled low over his eyes. He didn't need to see, not while getting out the message from Sorella. Malik stood off to one way, keeping watch so that no one could approach Bakura without him knowing.
With a thump, Bakura switched positions and sat on the sand cross legged. He ripped off the string and unfolded the neat message. In it were four words. Four words that made him roar at the sky, only to be shushed by Malik so that they wouldn't attract attention to themselves. Bakura fumed silently then, breathing heavily. The leader thrust the letter at Malik when the latter expressed his puzzlement. His eyes widened and he stared at Bakura with sympathy.
"He. Will. Pay." Bakura announced, squeezing each word from between his clenched teeth. When the leader and founder of the Dangers of the Desert got that look in his eyes, it was better to get out of the way.
*** *** ***
I know that Ryou wouldn't usually behave like this (in the future/present) No flames, please, as I have a reason for his actions. If you can guess what it is, then the next chapter is dedicated to you.